The Nordic and Baltic countries – while internationally recognised for their digital leadership – continue to face disparities in access to high-speed internet connectivity. These inequalities are most pronounced in the region’s numerous sparsely populated and remote rural areas, including Arctic and sub-Arctic communities, archipelagos and certain cross-border regions. In these locations, residents and businesses often experience limited broadband access, poor mobile coverage (especially 5G) and a lack of long-term, competitive infrastructure investment (European Commission, 2025a). These connectivity gaps not only hinder access to essential public services like healthcare, education and emergency response, but also limit regional economic potential and can be considered a key contributor to the widening urban-rural digital divide (de Jesus & Melander, 2024).
The Gigabit Infrastructure Act (GIA) was introduced by the European Commission in 2024, replacing the Broadband Cost Reduction Directive (BCRD) from 2014. Implementation of the BCRD had been inconsistent across Member States and no longer met the increasing demand for fast and reliable digital connectivity in Europe (European Commission, 2025b). The goal of the GIA is to promote universal access to very high-capacity networks (VHCNs), in line with the connectivity targets set out under the EU’s Digital Decade initiative. These targets specify that by 2030, all EU households should have access to a fixed gigabit network and all populated areas should be covered by 5G (European Commission, 2025c). However, affordability issues are likely to persist. As seen in peri-urban and rural areas where gigabit connections are availably but subscription prices remain prohibitive, economic barriers may continue to limit effective access (OECD, 2024).
The Digital Networks Act (DNA), adopted in January 2026, modernises the EU’s rules for digital connectivity. It aims to reduce market fragmentation, encourage investment and strengthen the resilience of Europe’s communications infrastructure. The Act aims to create a single, harmonised framework that supports cross-border operations, simplifies authorisations and streamlines regulation. Key measures include a “Single Passport” for operators, clearer rules for innovative digital services, an EU‑level preparedness plan for network resilience and improved conditions for spectrum use. Overall, it is designed to foster a more competitive, innovative and secure digital ecosystem across the Union (European Commission, 2026).
Several instruments introduced under the GIA are aimed at simplifying infrastructure rollout, encouraging private investment and ensuring transparency in deployment (European Commission, 2025b), see Fact Box 1. For example, a telecommunications company deploying fibre can leverage existing infrastructure under the GIA, such as water ducts, instead of initiating new construction works. Essential information about current infrastructure and planned civil works will be made available through digitally accessible "Single Information Points" (SIP) in each country to further facilitate this process. The GIA will further enhance digital accessibility by streamlining and digitising permits for rollout activities, requiring authorities to meet strict deadlines to enable quicker deployment and reduced costs (European Commission, 2025b).
The regulation is especially relevant to the Nordic-Baltic region, where connectivity challenges stemming from regional physical conditions intersect with broader development objectives, such as the goal of the Nordic and Baltic Ministers of Digitalisation for the region to become the most digitally integrated in the world by 2030 (Nordic Council of Ministers, 2024b). The simplified deployment of high-speed digital connectivity in underserved areas will facilitate more affordable and efficient access for Internet Service Providers, potentially enhancing connectivity in rural and economically less prioritised parts of the region. The GIA’s emphasis on transparency aims to enhance trans-border collaboration and knowledge-sharing practices, further supporting the rollout process in rural areas while fostering innovation. The harmonised regulatory framework, including Single Information Points, for instance, will help multinational telecom companies and cross-border consortia to plan, build and operate more seamlessly across borders. The regulation also provides for regular reporting, monitoring and benchmarking on an EU level to ensure continuous improvements and mutual learning practices across the Member States (The European Parliament & the Council of the European Union, 2024).